Chen Qi Zhen
The Magnificent Adventure (Hua Li De Mao Xian)
Cheer Chen Qi Zhen (陈绮贞) have given us some taste of rock music in her previous album. In this latest album “华丽的冒险 Hua Li De Mao Xian” (Magnificent Adventure), there are even more. “Sentimental Kills”, “Hua Li De Mao Xian” and “Self” all have heavy rock feel.
Unlike her signature style where she uses acoustic guitar as the main instrument, there’re a lot of strings and electric guitar in this album. The string harmony in “Lu Xing De Yi Yi” and the electronic sound effect in “Fu Xiu” have added some new element to her music. There is also a taste of bosanova like “Jing Jing De Sheng Huo”.
My favorite song in the album is track 5, “Tai Duo”. It uses only the very low register and very high register of the piano, together with the cello to create a surreal mood of the song. Another song that is closer to her style of music is “Biao Mian De He Ping”, a simple melody accompanied by the guitar.
When I listen to the album, I keep feeling that there’s something different in her vocal compared to her previous album “吉他手 Groupies”. After listening to her previous album over and over again, I finally figured out why. When we talk about Qi Zhen’s voice, it is always sweet, refreshing, comfortable and almost de-stressing. However, it doesn’t seem to have that effect in this album.
One of the reasons is the instrumentation of the songs. The instrumentation of the songs is this album is the most complex among her songs. It’s too heavy for her vocal. It will let down many fans who prefer her simple guitar music.
Another more important reason is the way she carries the songs. It seems to lose that kind of relaxed, carefree and joyful expression it used to have. In some parts, it even sounds like she’s trying to strain her vocal. Her voice is always sweet. However, in the previous album, it sounds very natural while in this album is like an overdose of sugar.
Even though, I feel that it’s a bit unfair to compare this album with her previous ones. Perhaps it’s the expectation I have that leads to disappointment. Overall, it’s still a good album, at least better than many other pop albums we have in the market. Again, Qi Zhen found a balance point between commercialized and alternative music.
Track listing:
1. 旅行的意义Lu Xing De Yi Yi (Significance of Traveling)
2. 腐朽 Fu Xiu (Decay)
3. Sentimental Kills
4. 华丽的冒险 Hua Li De Mao Xian (Magnificent Adventure)
5. 太多 Tai Duo (Too Much)
6. 花的姿态 Hua De Zi Tai (Posture of Flower)
7. Self
8. 80%完美的日子 Ba Shi Ba Xian Wan Mei De Ri Zi (Days of 80% Perfection)
9. 表面的和平 Biao Mian De He Ping (Peace on the Surface)
10. 静静的生活 Jing Jing De Sheng Huo (Living Peacefully)
11. 最初的起点 Zui Chu De Qi Dian (The Beginning)
Recommended tracks: Tai Duo, Lu Xing De Yi Yi, Jing Jing De Sheng Huo, Self, Zui Chu De Qi Dian
Written by ~Jessy~ on Nov 20, 2005
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27 Comments, Join the discussion
sphy
When I first listened to this album, I too, compared it with Cheer’s earlier albums and thought they were better. However, after repeated listens, and embracing Cheer’s new style, “A fabulous adventure” is slowly becoming my favorite Cheer album alongside with “Groupies” and “Demo 3.” I disagree with your opinion that in this album, Cheer’s voice/style is not very relaxing. I find that Cheer masterfully controls the heavy instrumentals in her songs & ultimately brings some inner peace in me. Sorta like peaceful chaos eh? ^_^
Nov 21st, 2005
geminigeek
anywhere i can get the torrent? :P
Nov 21st, 2005
~Jessy~
Sphy:
Thanks for leaving your comment!
I feel that I can easily remember the melody of her previous songs but not for this album.
But who knows, maybe after a few weeks, I’ll prefer this album.
Anyway I really like her music. :)
Nov 21st, 2005
~Jessy~
Hi Geminigeek,
Try searching in google using Chinese characters.
Nov 21st, 2005
sphy
I like Cheer too :) and yes, as the number of times I listen to this album increases, the more I like it *_^
I just posted 2 MVs from her new cd at my blog. Feel free to check them out :)
Nov 22nd, 2005
~Jessy~
Sphy:
Saw your blog.
Thanks!
Nov 24th, 2005
charles
nice site…! keep it up…
Nov 27th, 2005
~Jessy~
Thanks Charles!
Nov 28th, 2005
lemon
saw ur blog in google…
i think tht this album in fact hides a lot of meaning behind. i think tht cheer has grown up. She made this album in order to record her feeling and share it with her groupies… dunno if u still can rmb the song “after 17″ in her single? i think tht she indicated her growth in tht song. She waved her youth and innocence goodbye in tht song. It is a brand new stage of her life. In this album, it shows her mature and the beauty of a full blossom flower. It also reflects tht she is no longer living in her own dream, instead she bravely faces the brutal reality with some arrogance.
She also compare her life as tht of a flower. From death->bury->resurrect->blossom. It implies the idea of reincarnation….
Dec 15th, 2005
colourblind82
This is my first Cheer’s album and I like it!
Dec 19th, 2005
~Jessy~
Hi Lemon and Colourblind!
Glad that you love the album.
Thanks for dropping by!
Dec 20th, 2005
Xiaomi
I love QiZhen’s tracks. I come across your site and read your comment on QiZhen’s this album, I like it. Good effort to introduce Cheer’s works to the English community!: )
Dec 21st, 2005
~Jessy~
Hi Xiaomi!
Thank you! :D
Dec 21st, 2005
dko47
Does anyone knows the guitar chords to 表面的和平, please email me at dko47@shaw.ca THANKS
Feb 14th, 2006
EC
I love this album except for the APPALLING lyrics of “Sentimental Kiss”…I mean “I wish I won’t pretend to sleep”!!!!!!
Why on EARTH she didn’t have a native English native speaker help her I have got NO IDEA.
Ruins what would otherwise have been an excellent song.
Feb 14th, 2006
nd3e
have been listening to cheer for since demo 1…this album definately has its own kind of feel to it and its a totally refreshing feel compare to her previous albums. The tracks are getting more and more meaningful and more emotions are within the song. Something new and I think one should really be mesmerize at the lyrics and the tune which really brings out cheer’s thinking to the listener.
Jun 10th, 2006
grass
Hey Jessy, thanks for the review, great effort there and i thought that was very detailed and enriching. Makes me listen to Cheer’s album again with another perspective, i particularly like the part with your close observance of the instruments used in the album. For someone not as musically-inclined like me, it provides insightful thoughts when listening to the album. Cheer Chan being one of my fav singer song-writer, i’m glad to see some recognition for her music here as i’ve always thought she’s one of the most talented artiste in Taiwanese music industry to deserve more credits for her work. :)
Jun 15th, 2006
~Jessy~
Thank you, grass!
Congrats to Cheer Chen getting best music video and best producer for her album! :D
Jun 15th, 2006
kim
yes!! congrats to cheer!!!
i kept on rewatching the scene when xiaohu received his prize and cheer cried for him. so touching!!! T.T
Jun 16th, 2006
grass
yeah, i’m happy for Cheer though its a pity she didn’t get a personal award. But nvm, still happy that her bf did. :P
Jun 19th, 2006
wanfang
aiya.. i tink i like her songs la..kinda relaxing..wakakka
Aug 1st, 2006
he11
wat is the english name for this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_l_isDoZfY&mode=related&search=
my comp cant read chinese n im trying to look for the tab thx in advance
May 16th, 2007
~Jessy~
It’s called “Biao Mian De He Ping” (Peace on The Surface).
May 16th, 2007
he11
does anyone have the tab/chords for this -_-
May 17th, 2007
Fish
She will be holding her concert in Singapore soon. Finally.!
Aug 11th, 2007
lailai
i love cheer very much..i memba my fren in uni bot me her groupies cd from taiwan…i didn’t know how my dad lost the cd cover i felt terrible luckily the cd is in my cd pouches i miss tat cd a lot..but i have this album lovin it..i waitin 4 u to go to kl so i could fly there is too expensive for me to go s’pore. so lucky fish u can c here >.
Aug 31st, 2007
fish
Lailai,
Thanks. it been a long wait.
I got the tix. and it quite a sell out in singapore. Hope that u can see it too.
Sep 3rd, 2007
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